Elephantopus is a genus of perennial plants in the daisy family (Asteraceae).
The genus is widespread over much of Africa, southern Asia, Australia, and the Americas. Several species are native to the southeastern United States, and at least one is native to India and the Himalayas.
Uses
Elephantopus scaber is a traditional medicine and other species, including E. mollis and E. carolinianus, have also been investigated for medicinal properties. Elephantopus scaber contains elephantopin which is a germacranolide sesquiterpene lactone containing two lactone rings and an epoxide functional group.
Etymology
The genus name Elephantopus comes from the Greek words "elephantos" (elephant) and "pous" (foot). The term likely refers to the large basal leaves of some members of the genus.
Species
Accepted species
- Elephantopus angolensis <small>O.Hoffm.</small> - Angola
- Elephantopus arenarius <small>Britton & P.Wilson ex Britton</small> - Cuba
- Elephantopus arenosus <small>Krasch.</small> - Brazil
- Elephantopus biflorus <small>(Less.) Sch.Bip.</small> - Brazil
- Elephantopus carolinianus <small>Raeusch.</small>- southeastern + south-central United States; Cuba, Puerto Rico
- Elephantopus dilatatus <small>Gleason</small> - Costa Rica, Panama
- Elephantopus elatus <small>Bertol.</small> - southeastern United States
- Elephantopus elongatus <small>Gardner</small>- Brazil
- Elephantopus hirtiflorus <small>DC.</small> - Brazil, Venezuela
- Elephantopus mendoncae <small>Philipson</small> - Angola
- Elephantopus micropappus <small>Less.</small>- Brazil
- Elephantopus mollis <small>Kunth</small> native to Latin America + West Indies; widely naturalized in tropics of Africa, Asia, Australia, various islands
- Elephantopus multisetus <small>O.Hoffm. ex T.Durand & De Wild.</small> - Angola, Zaire, Tanzania
- Elephantopus nudatus <small>A.Gray</small> - southeastern + south-central United States, east Texas to Maryland
- Elephantopus nudicaulis <small>Poir.</small> - Mexico
- Elephantopus palustris <small>Gardner</small> - Brazil, Bolivia, Paraguay
- Elephantopus piauiensis <small>R.Barros & Semir</small> - Brazil
- Elephantopus pratensis <small>C.Wright</small> - Cuba
- Elephantopus racemosus <small>Gardner</small>- Brazil
- Elephantopus riparius <small>Gardner</small>- Brazil
- Elephantopus scaber <small>L.</small>- China, India, southeast Asia, northern Australia; naturalized in Africa, Madagascar, Latin America
- Elephantopus senegalensis <small>(Klatt) Oliv. & Hiern</small>- tropical Africa
- Elephantopus tomentosus <small>L.</small> - southern United States
- Elephantopus vernonioides <small>S. Moore</small> - Africa
- Elephantopus virgatus <small>Desv. ex Ham.</small> - Guyana
- Elephantopus welwitschii <small>Hiern</small> - Africa
Formerly placed here
References